Should wolves be reintroduced to Ireland?

realitykeeper · 01-09-2018 1:03pm #1

Wolves lived in the wild in Ireland until about 250 years ago. Their numbers are growing in mainland Europe today and there is talk of a cull. Should reintroducing wolves to Ireland be considered instead? It would save a few wolves on the continent and help to restore Ireland`s natural fauna. I would be in favour of it.

Gingko · 01-09-2018 8:24pm

realitykeeper wrote: »

Wolves lived in the wild in Ireland until about 250 years ago. Their numbers are growing in mainland Europe today and there is talk of a cull. Should reintroducing wolves to Ireland be considered instead? It would save a few wolves on the continent and help to restore Ireland`s natural fauna. I would be in favour of it.

Good article on the reintroduction of wolves in Ireland here.. doesn't look like its possible unfortunately.. http://bioweb.ie/reintroduction-wolves-ireland/

Edgarfrndly · 01-09-2018 8:28pm

Yes. Ireland used to be known as Wolf Land. Deer populations are a huge problem. They are a pest and carry extremely dangerous diseases. The problem however is where to reintroduce them in a manner which is safe for both them and people.

Fathom · 02-09-2018 5:05am

Wolves good to reduce rabbits. Or rely on foxes?

carrollsno1 · 02-09-2018 5:54am

Deedsie wrote: »

In an ideal world it would be brilliant if wolves could be reintroduced in Ireland. Seems highly unlikely it will ever happen. Farmers would lose the plot entirely

I heard before that domesticated dogs are more of a problem for livestock than wolves in some countries.

Avatar MIA · 02-09-2018 5:59am

Think there's another thread on this somewhere.

While relatively sparsely populated humans are widespread around Ireland and there's nowhere where a self sustaining (or any level) number of wolves could be released. Sad to say.

Ireland hasn't had a potential human predator outside a zoo for a long time, and that's hot going to change.

corks finest · 02-09-2018 6:22am

realitykeeper wrote: »

Wolves lived in the wild in Ireland until about 250 years ago. Their numbers are growing in mainland Europe today and there is talk of a cull. Should reintroducing wolves to Ireland be considered instead? It would save a few wolves on the continent and help to restore Ireland`s natural fauna. I would be in favour of it.

They'd only hunt them into oblivion

corks finest · 02-09-2018 6:23am

realitykeeper wrote: »

Wolves lived in the wild in Ireland until about 250 years ago. Their numbers are growing in mainland Europe today and there is talk of a cull. Should reintroducing wolves to Ireland be considered instead? It would save a few wolves on the continent and help to restore Ireland`s natural fauna. I would be in favour of it.

They'd only hunt them into oblivion dunno,think of the grants they'd apply for, fencing,drainage,loss of stock etc etc

mzungu · 07-09-2018 9:14pm

Fathom wrote: »

Wolves good to reduce rabbits. Or rely on foxes?

Great for reducing the deer population. However, it looks highly unlikely that it will happen.

Fathom · 09-09-2018 6:32pm

mzungu wrote: »

Great for reducing the deer population. However, it looks highly unlikely that it will happen.

There is a species threshold. Below they fail. That minimum number would probably be shot away if reintroduced in Ireland.

mzungu · 11-09-2018 8:40pm

Fathom wrote: »

There is a species threshold. Below they fail. That minimum number would probably be shot away if reintroduced in Ireland.

Most likely, not to mention its been well over 200 years since they were here. The amount of pitfalls puts the kibosh on any plan.

Fathom · 12-09-2018 3:15am

mzungu wrote: »

Most likely, not to mention its been well over 200 years since they were here. The amount of pitfalls puts the kibosh on any plan.

Another species (locally) bites the dust.

Black Swan · 15-09-2018 3:28pm

mzungu wrote: »

Most likely, not to mention its been well over 200 years since they were here. The amount of pitfalls puts the kibosh on any plan.

Species local extinction. Sad.

Seth Brundle · 15-09-2018 3:33pm

Given that many attempts to reintroduce breeding populations of birds if prey are thwarted by poisoning, I can't see a reintroduction of wolves being welcomed by all.

Pretzill · 15-09-2018 3:38pm

Seth Brundle wrote: »

Given that many attempts to reintroduce breeding populations of birds if prey are thwarted by poisoning, I can't see a reintroduction of wolves being welcomed by all.

Agree - unfortunately. I don't think wolves would be a good idea because we don't have enough open space for them to roam without falling foul of the farmers gun. However, I'd have no problem letting beavers onto our rivers - clean it up and help with flooding - also might encourage more native tree growing.

TheBoyConor · 15-09-2018 3:43pm

Beavers? Are you joking?
We've enough invasive species making **** of our rivers without introducing beavers. FFS.

Fathom · 15-09-2018 5:10pm

The Last Wolves of Ireland. Mount Leinster in County Carlow, 1786.

Pretzill · 15-09-2018 6:40pm

TheBoyConor wrote: »

Beavers? Are you joking?
We've enough invasive species making **** of our rivers without introducing beavers. FFS.

Not joking no. They aren't an invasive species btw and were native to the British Isles at one stage and have been reintroduced in the UK with some success. But don't hold back your feelings there -

Fathom · 15-09-2018 8:46pm

"Ireland has a long relationship with wolves, with these creatures having been there since at least 34,000 BC, according to the latest carbon dating on remains."

Avatar MIA · 16-09-2018 9:10am

Fathom wrote: »

"Ireland has a long relationship with wolves, with these creatures having been there since at least 34,000 BC, according to the latest carbon dating on remains."

We also had bears, which apparently polar bears are descended from.

mattser · 16-09-2018 9:36am

I have enough problems with dangerous dogs and their irresponsible owners while I'm out for a jog.

On the other hand you might get less grief from an unattended wolf, and they're far prettier than some of the other brutes.

archer22 · 16-09-2018 9:36am

Our treatment and disregard for the wildlife we already have is appalling...bringing Wolves here would be only bringing them to short lives of pain and misery.

mzungu · 17-09-2018 9:58pm

Fathom wrote: »

"Ireland has a long relationship with wolves, with these creatures having been there since at least 34,000 BC, according to the latest carbon dating on remains."

Amazing to think that it's really only in the last 100-150 years that the habitat they would have thrived in has mostly disappeared.

Fathom · 22-09-2018 6:13pm

mzungu wrote: »

Amazing to think that it's really only in the last 100-150 years that the habitat they would have thrived in has mostly disappeared.

Question? Can you import a wolf as a pet in Ireland? Restrictions? I would imagine so. To have a wolf as a pet would require loads of space and they would be really difficult to train.

Avatar MIA · 22-09-2018 6:16pm

Fathom wrote: »

Question? Can you import a wolf as a pet in Ireland? Restrictions?

Same if you wished to import a Great White Shark or Tiger as a pet I would think.

Fathom · 22-09-2018 6:21pm

Avatar MIA wrote: »

Same if you wished to import a Great White Shark or Tiger as a pet I would think.

In some US states you can. Wild animal restrictions apply. Friend had one. Had to be "introduced" to wolf by owner. After that, no problems.

John_Rambo · 22-09-2018 9:16pm

Fathom wrote: »

Question? Can you import a wolf as a pet in Ireland? Restrictions?

There was someone on boards.ie that ran a shelter, she had a cross and it was very very unsuitable as a regular pet.

Regarding reintroduction, unfortunately the natural habitat for the Irish wolf is gone and livestock predation couldn't be avoided.

Interesting that our ancesters had a mutual respectful relationship with the wolves. The English wiped them out.

This is incredible.

https://www.yellowstonepark.com/things-to-do/wolf-reintroduction-changes-ecosystem

Fathom · 23-09-2018 2:05am

John_Rambo wrote: »

Interesting that our ancesters had a mutual respectful relationship with the wolves. The English wiped them out.

Sad.

mzungu · 23-09-2018 9:17pm

Fathom wrote:

Question? Can you import a wolf as a pet in Ireland? Restrictions?

I would imagine so. To have a wolf as a pet would require loads of space and they would be really difficult to train. I would imagine quarantine would come into it and that would be a good few months. All in all, I don't think it would be a runner.

John_Rambo · 23-09-2018 9:42pm

mzungu wrote: »

Question? Can you import a wolf as a pet in Ireland? Restrictions?

I would imagine so. To have a wolf as a pet would require loads of space and they would be really difficult to train. I would imagine quarantine would come into it and that would be a good few months. All in all, I don't think it would be a runner.

Not sure on the laws on unsuitable wild animals as pets. But unfortunately there's no law against idiocy. No amount of space and training will be enough to contain, control, stimulate and satiate a wolf without a pack unless you're looking at a social pack in a massive contained area with indigenous forestation, an abundance of natural prey and room for offspring break up packs.

catrat12 · 23-09-2018 9:47pm

I know this sounds stupid and to be honest it was probably a Fox
But I thought I saw a wolf in glencullen chasing sheep one evening few weeks back from my window

Should wolves be reintroduced to Ireland?

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